Coin mechanism for vending-machines.



H. PEIN. 00m MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.8, 1912.

Patented D0016, 1913.

LUSLQQL 2 SHEETSSHEET l.

7201)? wmeo 1 H. PEIN.. 00111 MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES,

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 8, 1912.

Patented Dec. 16,1913.-

1,1AOL,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTaTns PATENT onrron.

HENRY PEIN, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SANITARY FOUNTAIN (10.,

OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1 6, it 913.

To (/7/ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY PEIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Coin Mechanism for Vending- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to coin mechanism to be employed in operating vending machines.

My invention is particularly advantageous for use in operating machines for automatically carbonating and vending liquids to which use 1 have put it, but it will be obvious that the invention is applicable to other vending machines.

The object of my invention is to provide a very simple device for operating vending machines, which will not become clogged or thrown out of working arrangement when a slug or coin of the wrong denomination is placed in the machine.

In machines for vending, and particularly carbonated liquid vending machines, coin mechanisms have been used wherein a slug or coin of the wrong denomination was intended to fall out of the machine be-ause the coin engaging mrts were adjusted to the coin of desired size. "The desired result in such machines however was not always ob tained, because the slug often clogged the mechanism, or, when nearly the size of the coin which the machine was intended to receive, the slug would cause a partial operation of the coin mechanism and then clog it, or leave the parts in an inoperative posi tion, so that it would not'properly receive the coins of proper size in a successive attempt to operate the machine. In attempting to make the coin engaging parts of the carrier so that a slug would pass through and out of the machine, the parts were caused to engage the coins in a most unsatisfactory manner and the coins of proper size therefore gave trouble. The object. of my present invention is to overcome all the objections in such former devices.

I have provided support for the coin preferably in the nature of a movable carrier which is adapted to receive and carry any coin which can be passed through the receiving slot and to hold it freely, without binding, in order that the coin may be properly discharged when it has performed its purpose of operating the machine. This part of the coin mechanism as well as various other parts are preferably revoh'lble. The part which thus holds the coins while they are being moved by the operating handle is preferably moved each time whether a win of proper size, or any other size, or .a slug, is inserted in the machine, thereby making way for the reception of the next coin to be inserted so that the improper coin or slug does not stop the machine. The arrangement of the operatingparts however, are such that if a coin below the regular size, or a slug, is inserted the holding part, the part which engages therewith to move the coin and holder and cause the operation of the machine will not be raised sufliciently to set the vending mechanism into operation, but will only advance the coin holder to make ready for the reception of a new coin. These results are obtained in a mechanism even simpler than any heretofore used.

For the purpose of showing one method of applying my invention to a vending machine I have herein shown several of the parts of a liquid vending machine which forms the subject matter of my application for Letters Patent filed on the 8th day of January 1912, and serially numbered 669,954.

In the drawings forming a part of this application, Figure 1, is a plan view showing the coin device attached to a cabinet, and to a mechanism of the character described in my said copending application, Fig. 2, is a cross section showing the parts at rest or before the coin is inserted, Fig. 3, is a similar view showing the same just as the operating handle has been partially turned, Fig. t, is a longitudinal section, taken on the line M of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 5, is a cross section, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. at, and Fig. 6, is a face view of the disk which is intermittently revolved at each operation of the device.

I have shown my improved coin mechanism secured to circular cabinet, of a vending machine, and I have shown certain valves 2, 3, 4, and 5, and certain connections 6, 7, 8, and 9, which correspond with the valves and connections of my said pending application, whereby the application of my invention may be understood. it is not. to be inferred, however, that my present in vention is limited to such application, as it can be used in almost any kind of vending machine.

The valves are arranged to be operated by certain cams 10, and 11, which are carried upon a sleeve 12, and the latter is secured to a shaft 13. By a partial revolution imparted to the shaft 13, at each operation of the coin mechanism, the vending apparatus is operated.

In the exterior of the casing 1, I have provided a shell or casing 14, for inclosing parts of the coin mechanism, and in a hub 15, of the casing: 14, I have journaled ashaft 16, preferably in diamet-rical line with the shaft 13, which operates the vending machine. The socket 17, forms a journal forthe shaft 16, while a fixed collar 18, .engages in the bore of the hub 15, leaving an interior chamber 19, for a coil spring 20. The latter surrounds the shaft 16, and has one end 21, seated in the collar 18 and the other 22, in the socket 17, and the purpose of the spring is to return the shaft 16, to a normal or starting position after each operation. The limit of motion of the shaft 16, is determined by a screw 23, which travels in a slot 24, formed in the arc of a circle in the hub 15 (see Fig. 4).

The shaft 16, is preferably reduced at the end 25, and fits loosely in a recess 26, in the end of the shaft 13. The shaft 16, is provided, exteriorly of the casing with a handle 27 shown disposed at right angles to the shaft; by which handle the coin-mechanism and the vending machine is manually operated, by turning it a partial revolution each time, the return being efiected by the coil spring 20. v a

As means for receiving the coins and guiding them to the holder I have provided a short chute 28, which has a slot 29, of such dimensions as will receive a coin of the denomination intended to operate the machine, which for convenience may be here referred to as a cent, and this slot is here shown as arranged at right angles to and above the coin receiving member.

.As means for receiving and holding the coins until the operation of the vending machine has been'operated thereby, I- have provided a coin holder 30, which is here shown as a flat revoluble plate, which revolves about the'reduced portion 25, of the shaft 16, and for that purpose is loosely held on the shaft. This holder is shown provided with semi-circular peripheral recesses 31, which are preferably of sufficient size to receive a coinas shown inFig. 5, and freely hold the coin during a partial revolution of the holder. In the drawings I have shown six such recesses 3'1, though the number may vary, according to the requirements of the vending machine; and the recesses come in line with the slot of the receiving chute, so

that the coins, one at a time, drop into the recesses 31, of the holder.

As a meansfor preventing the coins from falling out of their recesses 31, until they reach their discharge position, I have mounted 'a plate 32, parallel with, and to the rear of the holder 30, which prevents the coins from falling backward and out of the holder. This. plate 32, has a central'aperture in which the shaft 16, freely revolves, and the plate is held in place by a flange 34, which also spaces the casing 14, from the cabinet 1. 33, near the bottom. through which the coins are discharged on a plate 35, to be guided to the interior of'the cabinet after they have performed their function.

On the shaft 13, I have arranged a disk 36, upon which the operating force is exerted to revolve the shaft 13, and operate the vending machine. This disk is shown provided with lateral projections 37, at regular intervals around the disk, and they preferably correspond in numbers with the number of coin recesses 31, in the coin holder. This disk is adapted to be moved a partial revolution at each operation of the coin mechanism and each of such movements operates the vending machine.

I have provided a carrier with means for engaging the coin, and the carrier is manually operated, and serves, through its engagement with the coin, to operate the disk 36. For this purpose l-have provided a plate 38, which is secured to the shaft 16, by the screw 23, and it is preferably of segmental shape and preferably arranged in front of and close to the coin holder. This carrier has a coin engaging element preferably in the nature of a pawl 39, which is secured to a stud 40, on the plate 38, by a screw 41, from which stud the pawl rocks. The pawl 39, is provided with a lateral pin 42, which projects over the coin holder and is adapted to engage the periphery of a coin 43, in the holder. The end of the pawl is adapted ,to engage the projections 37, of

The plate 32, has an aperture the disk 36, for the purpose of moving the will appear. There is a pin 45, on the plate 32, which engages the pawl on its return movement and prevents the pawl from riding back on the pin 42, when returning an after operation. On the plate 32, I have secured by a pin 46, a spri g 47, which engages the projections of t e holder 30, and the latter is provided with flat converging surface 48, against which the spring lies. 1

Operation: When at rest, the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 2, when one of the apertures 31, ofthe holder will be directly under the coin chute. The shaft 16, will be held in a definite position for this purpose by reason of the screw 23, stopping l 42, will engage the'periphery of the coin or at one end of its slot 24, and this is the position to which the parts are carried by the spring 20. If no coin is placed in the chute, the handle 27, may be turned back and forth and no action on the machine will result, because there will be no engagement between the carrier and the coin holder. When a coin is placed in the chute 28, it will drop into the recess 31, of the holder, beneath. The handle 27, is then turned as far to the right as the screw 23 will permit and when released it will, with the carrier and shaft 16, be returned again by the spring 20. If the coin deposited be of the proper size, the action which takes place on the turning of the handle will be as follows: The movement of the carrier 38, with its pawl, will bring the pin 42, of the pawl into contact with the periphery of the coin. The movement of the holder at this time is resisted by the spring 47, sufiiciently to cause the pin 42, to. ride upon the coin when the carrier continues its movement. This will swing the pawl until the end engages one of the projections 37, of the disk 36. From now on the movement of the carrier will cause the movement of the disk 36, and therefore the shaft 13, and the parts will turn together until the handle is brought to a stop by the pin 23, reaching the end of its slot 24. This last part of the movement carried the coin holder around until the recess 31, next to that having the coin, is brought ini line with the chute. The only function necessary for the coin to perform was that of raising the pawl, and the latter is thereafter held in engagement with the projection 37, by reason of the notch When the handle is freed the spring 20,

causes the carrier shaft 16,.and handle to return, when the pawl will leave the coin and will be held from rocking way down by the pin 45. The coin holder will be left in its advanced position and likewise the disk 36. The spring 47, will prevent the coin holder from jarring out-of osition. If another coin is inserted in te chute it will drop into the recess 31, in line therewith,

and upon the operation of the handle this coin will cause the engagement of the pawl with a projection 37, and again the disk 36, and its shaft will be revolved a partial revolution, resulting in a second operation of the vending machine. When the coins in the holder move down they fall freely out of the holder, through the cabinet 1, and are collected in any suitable manner.

If a small coin or slug is inserted in the chute, the vendingmachine will not be operated, but the coin holder will, and this will move the holder to present a new recess 31, forthe reception of a proper coin, and not leave the holder clogged and the machine inoperative. In such a case, the pin slug, the same as with the correct coin, but as the diameter is less the pawl 39, will not be raised sufiiciently to engage a projection 37, of the disk '36, and consequently the latter will not be moved. The engagement of the pin 42, however, with the coin or slug, will cause the holder 30 to be moved the same as before. Upon the return of the carrier the pawl will be in position to engage a new coin when inserted in the chute.

As the point 44, is farther from the fulcrnni. 41, of the pawl, than the pin 42, any differences in the size of coin placed in the machine. magnifies the action on the end 44, of the pawl. That is if the parts are proportioned about as shown in the drawings, and a coin say of inch less diameter than required is inserted, it will not raise the pawl at thepin 42, within inch of what it should, but at the end 44, it fails to raise it by about of an inch. I prefer to,employ this increasing action because other Wise the action of the pawl would be too fine for practical purposes.

From the above it will be apparent that the device is very simple and effective. The coin is held very freely by the holder and even if it be below the proper size the engagement of the pawl with the coin in no way binds the coin in the holder and the pawl is placed in engagement with thevending mechanism, by the coin, if it be of proper size. If it is not of proper size, the holder will be shifted, but the vending machine will not be operated.

Myiinvention is not limited to the exact form herein set forth, as changes may be made without departing from the scope of the annexed claims.

Having described my invention, what- I claim is 1. A device of the character described,

comprising a movable element of a vending machine, and means for operating the same, embodying a manually operated oscillating member, a pawl moving therewith and normally traveling out of operative relation with the vending machine element, meansfor directing a coin, a revoluble coin holder having a plurality of coin holding pockets to receive coins from said directing means, and arranged to receive and hold a coin in such position as to cause said pawl to engage the periphery thereof so that the pawl will be laced into operative relation with the vending machine element. said coin holder being successively advanced in the same direction by said manually operated member to bring its said receiving pockets successively into position to receive'coins from the directin means.

2. A device of the character escribed, comprising a movable element of a vending machine and means for operating the same,

comprising a coin chute arranged to receive coins of a predetermined maximumdiameter, a revoluble coin holder having a plurality of coin holding pockets, a manually operated member having a pawl, said pawl being arranged to engage the periphery of a coin in said holder, and adapted to be moved into operative relation with said vending machine element upon the operation of said manually operated device, by a coin of said predetermined"diameter, and to remain out of operative relation when it engages a coin of lesser diameter, said coin holder being successively advanced in the same direction by said manually operated device, said pawl being adapted to engage a coin of less than said maximum diameter, whereby said coin holder will be advanced notwithstanding the failure of the pawl toengage the vending machine element.

3. A device of the character described, comprising coin directing means, a movable element of a vending machine and means for operating the same, comprising a movable coin holder having a plurality of coin pockets, a hand operated member having a pawl arranged to engage the periphery of a coin in said holder, a spring for resisting the movement of the coin holder suflicientl'y to cause the pawl to be moved into operating relation with the vending machine element, said coin holder being successively advanced in the satnedireetion by said hand operated member to present said coin pockets successively to the coin directing means and to discharge the coins.

4. A device of the character -described, comprising a vending machine element, and means for operating the same, comprising a revoluble coin holder, a hand operated member, having a pawl, said pawl being arranged to engage a coin in said holder and to be caused to move thereby into operative engagement with the vending machine element, whereby the latter may be operated by said hand operated member, said pawl being arranged to engage a coin at a place nearer the fulcrum of the pawl than the point at which the pawl engages the vend ing machine element, whereby the .pawl will have a greater movement where it engages the vending device element than where it engages the coin.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a' revoluble element of a vending machine having engaging members, and

means for operating the same comprising a revoluble C0111 holder having a plurality of coin pockets, a hand operated oscillating member having a pawl normally traveling out of the path of said engaging members,

and adapted to engage the periphery of a coin in said holder and to be moved thereby into engagement with said engaging members, said pawl having a notched end arranged to straddle said engaging member,

so that said pawl will be retained in engagement with said engaging member independently of the coin, after being initially engaged with one of said engaging members by the coin.

Signed at the city, county, and State of New York this 22nd day of December, 1911.

HENRY PEIN.

Witnesses:

ANNA L. BAUER -EDWARD D. C, Srnnmn 

